Strawberry plant named &#39;PLARIONFRE&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘PLARIONFRE’ is a new variety of strawberry having inflorecence above the foliage and conical-shaped fruit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The new variety of strawberry was created in a breeding program by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent an undistributed, unpatented variety internally designated 9244 and as pollen parent an undistributed and unpatented variety internally designated 86-032. Both parental varieties are proprietary and have not been commercialized or distributed.

[0002] The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexually propagated by runners in Soria, Spain, 3° W., 41° N., 3,000 feet elevation. Clones of the new variety were further asexually propagated and extensively tested. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety. Having the varietal denomination of the new variety ‘PLARIONFRE’. Among the characteristics which distinguish the new variety from other varieties of which I am aware are a combination of traits that include inflorescence which appears above the foliage and abundant production of red colored, conical shaped fruit.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

[0004] The new variety is closest to the variety Camarosa (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), but is distinguished therefrom by the following characteristics possessed by ‘PLARIONFRE’ which are different than, or not possessed by, ‘Camarosa.’

[0005] 1. Camarosa exhibits more plant vigor than ‘PLARIONFRE.’

[0006] 2. Camarosa exhibits more globose plant habit than ‘PLARIONFRE.’

[0007] 3. Leaf surface undulation of Camarosa is weaker than ‘PLARIONFRE.’

[0008] 4. Camarosa has a darker green upperside leaf color (near 141 B to 141 A) than ‘PLARIONFRE’ (near 143 B to 143 A) . The differences in the leaves of Camarosa and the new variety are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4. These differences are maintained during the growing season.

[0009] 5. In ‘PLARIONFRE’ the position of the inflorescence is above the foliage whereas in Camarosa, the inflorescence is level with the foliage.

[0010] 6. Fruit of Camarosa are larger than ‘PLARIONFRE.’

[0011] 7. Fruit of Camarosa is almost cylindrical in shape, whereas fruit of ‘PLARIONFRE’ is conical.

[0012] 8. Fruit of Camarosa is dark red near 47B to 47A, whereas fruit of ‘PLARIONFRE’ is near 43A to 42A.

[0013] 9. The differences in the fruit of Camarosa and of the new variety are shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. These differences are maintained during the harvest season.

[0014] 10. Time of flowering for ‘PLARIONFRE’ is earlier than from Camarosa in the same location.

[0015] 11. Time of fruit ripening for ‘PLARIONFRE’ is earlier than for Camarosa in the same location.

[0016] 12. ‘PLARIONFRE’ fruit is less firm than Camarosa fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

[0017] The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, designated 96.09.812 in the illustrations, including fruit, foliage and flower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of this character.

[0018]FIG. 1 shows the top and undersurface of a typical foliole of the new variety (designated 96.09.812) with the surface undulation of the upperside weaker and less dark green than the upperside of ‘Camarosa.’

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the top and undersurface of a typical foliole of ‘Camarosa.’

[0020]FIG. 3 shows a typical leaf of the new variety (designated 96.09.812) with more weak surface undulation of upperside and less dark green color of upperside than ‘Camarosa.’

[0021]FIG. 4 shows a typical leaf of the ‘Camarosa.’

[0022]FIGS. 5 and 6 show the fruit against a background of the top surface of the foliage of the new variety (designated 96.09.812).

[0023]FIG. 7 shows the flower and reproductive organs of the new variety (designated 96.09.812).

[0024]FIG. 8 shows typical fruit of the new variety (designated 96.09.812) in cross section illustrating the typical flesh and flesh coloration, conspicuous core and core cavity and conical shape.

[0025]FIG. 9 shows typical fruit of the Camarosa in cross-section illustrating the typical flesh and flesh coloration, conspicuous core and core cavity and almost cylindrical shape.

[0026]FIG. 10 shows whole and sliced, detached fruit of the new variety (designated 96.09.812) with the typical red color.

[0027]FIG. 11 shows whole and sliced, detached fruit of the Camarosa with the typical red dark color.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0028] The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruits grown ‘underglass’, i.e. under tunnel, in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7° W., 37° N., 45 feet elevation.

[0029] The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the color terminology herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS). The color descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.

[0030] Propagation:

[0031] The new variety is principally propagated by way of runners. Although propagation by runners is presently preferred, other know methods of propagating strawberry plants may be used. Strawberries root well after transplanting.

[0032] The term ‘blistering’ used herein refers to the texture or rugosity or surface ondulation inherent to leaves and is generally a constant characteristic.

[0033] General:

[0034] ‘PLARIONFRE’ is a short day variety that needs an induction to flowering by chilling, such as occurs at a high elevation nursery (fresh plant) or with cold storage (referred to as a frigo). Usually a short time is sufficient. ‘PLARIONFRE’ is self-fertile. It produces large quantity of pollen throughout the seasons and pollination is generally good as there are very few malformed fruit.

[0035]Production.—Plants described are from high elevation nursery in Soria, Spain (3° W., 41° N, 3,000 feet elevation) Fruit trials are from nursery in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain (7° W., 37° N, 45 feet elevation).

[0036]Date of planting.—Oct. 22, 1999.

[0037]Number of Repetitions.—2.

[0038]Plants per repetition.—375.

[0039]Comparison with Camarosa.—the new variety may be compared with Camarosa by reference to the Figures, e.g., FIG. 1 with FIG. 2; FIG. 3 with FIG. 4; FIG. 8 with FIG. 9; and FIG. 10 with FIG. 11. Accumulated production of 1st quality fruit (g/plant) Variety February 25^(th) March 28^(th) April 24^(th) May 25^(th) CAMAROSA 49 266 521 706 MILSEI 52 269 446 558 TUDNEW 62 300 503 667 PLARIONFRE 130 399 583 729 1^(ST) + 2^(ND) Weight Variety Quality Fruit Total (g/fruit) CAMAROSA 706 + 163 869 24-23 MILSEI 558 + 163 721 23-22 TUDNEW 667 + 131 798 24-23 PLARIONFRE 729 + 136 865 22

[0040] Production totals of 1st Quality Fruit (to May 25th) and 2nd Quality Fruit in g/plant 1st 2nd TOTALS % Variety quality quality (1st + 2nd) quality CAMAROSA 706 163 869 19% MILSEI 558 163 721 23% TUDNEW 667 131 798 16% PLARIONFRE 729 136 865 16% ${\% \quad 2^{nd}\quad {quality}}\quad = \quad {\frac{\quad {2^{nd}\quad {quality}}}{TOTAL} \times 100}$

[0041] Weight (g/Fruit) at two dates March 28^(th) and May 25^(th) Weight (g/fruit) March 28^(th) May 25^(th) CAMAROSA 24 23 MILSEI 23 22 TUDNEW 24 23 PLARIONFRE 22 22

[0042] Weight is shown as the average weight per fruit of First Quality Fruit. FRUIT ANALYSIS PLARIONFRE CAMAROSA (06.09.812) CARTUNO TUDNEW Firmness 0.46 0.19 0.36 0.28 (KG) Humidity & 92.41 90.62 92.35 92.24 Volatile Matter (%) Dry Matter 7.59 9.38 7.65 7.76 (%) PH (to 20°) 3.24 3.25 3.41 3.42 Acidity as 0.76 0.69 0.70 0.61 Anhydride Citric (%) Soluble 7.20 8.70 8.30 7.50 Solids (°Brix) Maturity 9.47 12.61 11.86 12.29 Index Content in 610 770 570 610 Ascorbic Acid (ppm) Dominant 495 500 430 495 Tonality (nm) Luminosity: 15.30 17.20 26.00 31.80 Transmit- ance to 460 nm

[0043] The following definitions apply:

[0044]Firmness.—It is the fruit's resistance to penetration measured in Kilograms (Kg). The measure given has been obtained by the penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with a 50 mm2 section head.

[0045]Dry Matter.—It is the weight of the residual left from the trituration of the fruit after the drying process at a temperature of 102° C.+2° C. until reaching constant weight.

[0046] (%) Dry Matter.—Weight Dry Matter/Weight Fresh Matter×100.

[0047]Humidity & Volatile Matter.—Represents the content in volatile matters and water of the fruits.

[0048] (%) Humidity & Volatile Matter.—100−% Dry Matter.

[0049]Maturity Index.—Relation between Soluble solids and Acidity as Anhydride Citric.

[0050]Maturity Index.—Soluble solids/Acidity as Anhydride Citric

[0051] Time of Ripening:

[0052] After planting as aforesaid, plants are grown in raised beds under-tunnel (small tunnel with small holes in plastic walls). Water and fertilizer were applied through drip irrigation. Time of ripening (50% of plants with ripe fruit) occurred about Jan. 12, 2000. First mature fruit was observed about Jan. 9, 2000, and maturity (15-20 gms/plant) is about January, 20.

[0053] General:

[0054] The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations were made, is between about January 25^(th) and May 31^(st) of each year, with a maximum production at about mid-April. ‘PLARIONFRE’ is a variety that benefits from induction to flowering by chilling, usually a few hours are sufficient, preferably at temperatures of 7° C. or less. Normally, the minimum number of hours is accumulated in the field during several days.

[0055] Disease Resistance:

[0056] No particular sensitivity to any disease or parasite has been observed for ‘PLARIONFRE’.

[0057] The following additional information is provided to further describe the new variety: VARIETY ‘PLARIONFRE,’ Breeder Ref. 96.09.812 CLASSIFICATION Fragaria, L. PLANT Habit Flat globose Density Open Vigor Medium Height About 17 cm. Width About 24 cm. LEAF Upperside Near 143B to 143A Underside Near 145D Length About 10 cm. Width About 11 cm. Cross-section Slightly concave Leaf surface undulation or blistering Weak Number of leaflets Three only STEM CHARACTERISTICS Color Near 145C Position of hairs upwards Length About 10 cm. TERMINAL LEAFLET Length/width ratio As long as broad Length About 6.5 cm. Width About 6.5 cm. Shape of base Obtuse Shape of teeth Obtuse PETIOLE Position of hairs Upwards Length About 10 cm. STIPULE Anthocyanin coloration Strong STOLONS Number Medium-about 7 Anthocyanin coloration Medium Thickness Medium, about 3 mm. Pubescence Medium Color Between near 145C to 144D INFLORESCENCE Position relative to foliage -Above FLOWER Size Medium Size of calyx relative Same size to corolla Size of inner calyx Larger relative to outer Spacing of petals Overlapping FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS Diameter primary flowers About 3.5 cm. Diameter secondary About 2.5 cm. flowers Number of petals Normally about 6-No significant fragrance Time from bloom to Between about 35 to 40 days mature fruit (Huelva, Spain) PETAL Length/width ratio Broader than long FRUITING TRUSS Attitude Semi-erect FRUIT Ratio of length/maximum Longer than broad width Color Between near 43A to 42A Peduncle length of Primary fruit between about 9 inflorescence stem to 11 cm., secondary fruit between about 6 to 7 cm., color near 145C PRIMARY FRUIT Length About 5.5 cm. Width About 4 cm. SECONDARY FRUIT Length About 4.5 cm. Width About 3 cm. Size Large Predominant shape Conical Difference in shapes Moderate between primary and secondary fruits Band without achenes Narrow Unevenness of surface Weak Color Between near 43A to 42A Evenness of color Slightly uneven Glossiness Strong Insertion of achenes Level with surface Insertion of calyx Level Pose of the calyx Reflexed segments Size of the calyx in Same size relation to fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong Firmness Firm Color of flesh Medium red-near 43A; lightening toward center Evenness of color of Even flesh Sweetness Medium Acidity Medium Time of flowering Early Time of ripening Very early Time of bearing Not remontant Chilling Weak Planting date October 22, 1999 10% flowering November 29, 1999 First mature fruits January 9, 2000 Maturity (15-20 January 20, 2000 gms/plant)

[0058] Time of Flowering Data:

[0059] Date of planting Oct. 22, 1999, in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W, 37° N, 45 feet elevation. 10% flowering occurred about Nov. 29, 1999, with first mature fruits about Jan. 9, 2000, and maturity (15-20 g/plant) about Jan. 20, 2000.

[0060] Time of flowers (50% of plants at first flower): observed about Dec. 3, 1999.

[0061] Storage Qualities:

[0062] ‘PLARIONFRE’ fruit maintain their quality characteristics when keeping them in a frigo chamber at temperatures of about 2° C. during 48 hours. The fruit's color remains substantially the same. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant of the variety substantially as shown and described. 